Traffic jam chaos in Greifswald: buses delays of up to 30 minutes!

Traffic jam chaos in Greifswald: buses delays of up to 30 minutes!

There has been a lot of traffic chaos in Greifswald since August 25th. The reasons for this are complex and affect both morning and evening traffic. The diversion of traffic via Hansering and Goethestraße results from the fact that Friedrich-Loeffler-Straße at the old women's clinic was reduced to a dead end. As a result, traffic jams in the city center are becoming increasingly worse.

Kaponnenstrasse, between Lange Strasse and Loefflerstrasse, is completely closed until November 14th due to extensive construction work by the municipal utilities on the district heating and drinking water network. Henrik Umnus, the managing director of Verkehrsbetrieb Greifswald GmbH, describes the current situation as “a complete catastrophe” for city bus transport. The bus delays are therefore a long 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon. In order to eliminate these waiting times, the operations management intervenes operationally by removing buses from the usual cycle times.

Intensify the traffic jam problem

A part of the problem that should not be underestimated is the carelessness of many drivers, who often ignore traffic signs. The reverse one-way street on Wollweberstrasse is particularly a hot topic, which results in additional waiting times for buses. Umnus points out that Gützkower Straße was turned into a dead end years ago. This forces traffic via Goethestrasse and Bahnhofstrasse, which are not designed for this rush. The traffic lights at the intersection of Bahnhofstrasse and Fleischerstrasse also contribute to the traffic jam problem. Optimizing the traffic light switching currently seems impossible due to the poor technical condition.

Additionally, the city has recognized that it is time to address congestion. However, there is currently no practical option for changing the diversion as there are no alternatives on the road network. The constant construction site structures in the city should also not be neglected, as they make driving in Greifswald even more difficult.

Construction work and its consequences

According to verkehrslage.de, it is not just the construction site on Kaplaufenstrasse that is affecting Greifswald's traffic pattern. Construction sites that temporarily close off areas of streets generally lead to heavy backlogs. Drivers who encounter slippery roads or the risk of slipping in winter can also repeatedly cause dangerous situations. All of these factors add up and contribute to an almost permanent traffic jam in the city.

The traffic situation in Greifswald remains tense. If the situation does not ease soon, additional measures will be required and the transport companies will have to be deployed even more frequently. Greifswald faces the challenge of better coordinating the infrastructure for all road users and counteracting chaos that does not seem to be an easily solvable task.